Behind the Maltese Cross

“If the kitchen table was the mecca for conversation, coffee was the vehicle by which it was served.”

In my childhood home, the coffee pot was rarely empty. Often joined by friends and neighbors, my parents sat at our old kitchen table and sipped the stuff several times a day. Before I was old enough to go to school, I knew how to fix my father’s cup- carefully pour the coffee into a cup leaving room for a generous splash of milk. Then stir in one teaspoon of sugar… and a little bit more.  

Pouring and serving coffee afforded me the opportunity to listen in on grown-ups’ conversations.  As I spooned and stirred, I eavesdropped, learning much about religion, politics, the arts, books, and world events. As I grew older, I became a participant in the conversations and learned more about the people gathered around the table. It was easy to see that a small comfort, like a cup of coffee, breaks down barriers, puts people at ease, and creates an atmosphere where ideas are easily voiced and opinions are freely shared. 

At the firehouses I visited in preparation for writing my book, my coffee cup was rarely empty.  I was welcomed to many kitchen tables where firefighters bantered, laughed, shared their dreams and divulged their fears. And while there were days when my hands trembled from too much caffeine, I was always grateful for another cup and another conversation.

I count it a privilege to share these conversations in Behind the Maltese Cross and hope that my words pay homage to the brave men and women who wear a badge bearing the Maltese cross.  

Garrie Madison Stoutimore

Author, Behind the Maltese Cross